Caesar Millan, eat your heart out

[vanillafluffy]

This morning, I stopped by J's and visited Poncho, whom I last saw Thursday evening. He's a completely different dog, you can see it in his body language. Instead of being a tense little bundle of nerves, he's a happy boy. I came in and sat on the edge of the bed, and when he realized it was me, oh boy! His tail was wagging like crazy---before, it was tucked so far between his legs, it was pointing toward his nose---and he started licking my hand, another first. I picked him up---something I would NOT have tried a couple days ago---and he started licking my face and otherwise showing how glad he was to see me. He's been visiting with her friend's dogs, been on walks and car trips and wonder of wonders, he's even eaten regular dry dog food! We're tentatively planning to take him home on Tuesday---then comes the fun part, training his owner!---we're both really happy about how well he's done in such a short time.
.

Comments

[pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com]

Changing the owner is the hard part, but maybe she'll quickly understand that he'll be a healthier, happier dog this way. So many people don't realize that dogs actually need a structured life and training makes things much less stressful for them.

[vanillafluffy.livejournal.com]

Your dog is *SO* cute! That picture captures his feistiness perfectly!

Yes, dogs are like kids---they need boundaries. If you give a toddler everything he/she wants, they turn into a brat, same with dogs. Especially with the little breeds, where it's so tempting to go, "Awww! Baby!" No can do, though, if you want a good dog to result.

[pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you. He's such a cute, funny little guy. He's been known to try to stick that duck in our mouths when he wants to share his toys. :D

[socialhermit.livejournal.com]

You go, girl! Victoria Stillwell has NOTHING on you.

Er, except maybe a nicer car. ;-)

[vanillafluffy.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't take much!

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

Good job! Have I missed something...are you doing professional dog training now? If so, I am so massively jealous it's not even funny.

[vanillafluffy.livejournal.com]

Who, me? No, I'm the trainee, she's the trainer, at least that's how I respond to clients who look to me for answers. The way it started is, J has cerebral palsy, which includes a speech impediment and mobility issues. She needed someone to make phone calls for her, and I give good phone, so...I made some calls. And on some jobs, it helps to have a spare pair of legs to go out to the car for business cards, the spare leash, into the convenience store for a bottle of water, etc. I'm not intimidated by big dogs, I'm used to dealing with ditzy people, and it's interesting. She keeps saying it may turn into a "real" job, but at least it's keeping me busy and out of trouble.

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant. You get to be around the pupppppeeeees and out and about and it could turn into a real job. Plus meeting people and making contacts is never a bad thing.

[vanillafluffy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's kinda how I feel about it, and it gives me something else to put on my resume so it doesn't look like I've been slacking off since August.